ALBION boss Chris Hughton has praised the part played by Rohan Ince in the best away display of his reign.

He recalled Ince in the defensive midfield role for the 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers which has lifted the Seagulls ten points and six places clear of the Championship relegation zone with seven games left.

Ince helped Albion become the first side to prevent Blackburn from scoring at home since early January as an own goal from their captain Matt Kilgallon gifted the points.

Hughton told The Argus: “Incey did a particular role for the team and we needed him to do it. I thought he was excellent but I thought there were some really good performances.

“He trained very well in the period where he hasn’t played. It was the type of game where you knew they were going to get the ball into the front men and you need that shield. He did it really well.”

Albion’s first away win in seven matches was also their best performance on the road since Hughton took charge on New Year’s Eve.

“I think so,” he said. “There are some games where you know you are under pressure but I always felt reasonably comfortable.

“They got a lot of balls into the box and it only takes a ricochet or putting somebody under pressure, an OG. Our game management was excellent.”

Hughton is considering his options with Emmanuel Ledesma, who ended his initial month on loan from Middlesbrough by making his second start on the right-wing.

Albion’s next game following the international break is at home to Hughton’s former club Norwich on Good Friday April 3. Centre-half Lewis Dunk will be available after a two-match ban, as will on-loan striker Leon Best who could not play against parent club Blackburn.